I do not own Fire Force or any of its characters.
New Recruit
The bell rang through the church, and as one, The members of Fire Force Company Eight scrambled to ready themselves. They got into the matchbox and left the church in record time.
"Who's the Infernal this time?" Arthur asked.
"A young girl, somewhere around her late teens," Obi said. "Aside from the location, that's all we know."
"That's it?" Shinra asked.
"Apparently, she was walking down the street when she spontaneously combusted, and no one knows who she was," Obi said. "That's why we only got a physical description."
"At least there'll be room to move," Shinra said. "What's the expected danger level?"
"Unknown," Obi said. "No information has come in about our target besides the fact that there actually is an Infernal."
"Doesn't that seem strange?" Arthur asked.
Obi didn't respond, so they all fell silent. About three minutes later, they reached the location and all stepped out of the vehicle, only to stop. Before them, the Infernal was on her knees, kissing a boy in his late teens, one who had a flaming appendage of some kind extending from his back through one of two holes in the back of his shirt, and wrapping around to impale her through the heart from behind. The man had dirty blonde hair swept back, a tight black shirt with grey three-quarter sleeves, faded blue jeans, and a pair of brown work boots. When he glanced at them, his golden irises reflected the Matchbox's headlights and seemed to shine.
"You all made good time," the man said, standing and picking up a thin silver chain with a silver and sapphire angel pendant from the woman's ashes, pocketing it.
"Who are you?" Shinra asked.
"He's a mercenary," Obi said, eyes narrowed and glaring at the man. "His nickname is Hell's Angel."
"Looks like karma finally decided to repay you for all the times you pretended to be a hero and do the Fire Force's job for them," Hinawa said.
"Firstly, I'm a professional handy man, not a mercenary," the man said. "And secondly, Lieutenant Hinawa, is that really any way to treat someone who just lost their girlfriend?" His eyes narrowed slightly and seemed to flash dangerously, and Company Eight tensed, though he didn't attack.
"You're right," Obi said. "I'm sorry. That was improper."
"Improper or not, it's true," Hinawa said.
"Why did you kill her yourself?" Maki asked.
"She asked me to," the man said. "She wanted me to be the one to do it if she ever turned into an Infernal." He walked over to a small, abandoned stall set up on the side of the rode and picked up a folder. "Truth be told, if it wasn't for the circumstances of this meeting, I'd say it was almost convenient. I've been assigned to Fire Force Company Eight, effective immediately."
"You went through the academy?" Hinawa asked skeptically.
"No," the man said as Obi took the folder and skimmed it.
"'Special Circumstances,' huh?" Obi asked, glancing at the man. Adrian Dark. Fine. You'll have a probationary period, since you didn't go through the academy. And you'll need to learn the prayer by the next mission."
"I already know it," Adrian said.
"And you didn't say it when your girlfriend was the Infernal?" Iris asked.
"She and I have never believed in it," Adrian said. "I wasn't going to waist my time and extend her suffering for a prayer neither of us believes."
"Why is he being forced on us?" Hinawa asked.
"Someone very influential and persuasive heard you had a problem because of Company Five," Adrian said. "For that reason, I was ordered to lend you my wings. You can keep me on a probationary period all you want, but in the end, you know my abilities will be useful, and given the staggering difference in resources and how outnumbered you are, you know that you're not entirely in a position to refuse, are you, Captain?"
"I couldn't refuse if I wanted to," Obi said. "Let's go. You'll need a uniform, and we'll be testing the abilities you're so proud of."
Adrian nodded and climbed into the Matchbox with the others. A few minutes later, they had led him up to the roof where Maki took her jacket off and left herself in a grey tank top, readying herself to fight him and assess his abilities.
"Don't hold back," Obi warned.
"Oh, I won't," Adrian said. "I was given a brief description of all of your abilities. Honestly, the ones I fear most are easily the two of you."
"Then you're smart," Maki said. "Would you like me to-"
Adrian shot forward, throwing a punch, only for her to block it. He jumped, flipping over a kick and formed his wings, the wings having the silhouettes of feathered wings but being twin tongues of flame. Both of the wings stabbed downward at Maki before she could even begin to look for him, but she reacted anyway.. She flipped out of the way and held her hand out, the wings transforming into a pair of fireballs with small, cartoonish faces. However, when they did, they detached from Adrian's back and he dropped to the ground, a new set forming and flicking upward dispersing the fireballs before he swung his arms forward, the wings flapping. A half-dozen elongated fireballs shot out of the ends of his wings like thick arrows of fire, and Maki flipped out of the way, allowing them to hit the roof and erupt into small explosions, though he had kept it restrained enough to do little more than blacken the impact points.
"You're skilled," Maki said, holding out her hand and pulling fire from his wings into a massive ball of fire over herself, this one with a huge dopey smile. "Try this!"
She hurled it at him and he crossed his arms, his wings crossing in front of him and blocking the fireball, holding it back for a moment before he swiped his arms outward. His wings snapped out to his sides as well, hurling the fireball into the air above them where it exploded harmlessly.
"You're stronger than I expected," Maki said. "You're actually matching me."
"That's because you're holding back," Adrian said.
"That's enough," Obi said. "You have skill. I can see why your employer believed you'd be useful. I don't trust you, but I will admit that you'll be useful if it comes to a fight."
"It will," Adrian said. "Hibana isn't the type that can be reasoned with. And she's not the type I can defeat, either."
"You won't fight her alone," Obi said.
"He shouldn't fight her at all," Hinawa said. "We don't know that his employer isn't her."
"I said my employer was influential and persuasive, not powerful and psychotic," Adrian said. "I make it a point not to work for anyone whose as likely to stab me in the back as they are to pay me. And you don't have to worry about my employer. They're an ally of yours."
"That remains to be seen," Hinawa said flatly.
"Maki will get you a uniform and give you a room," Obi said. "You had better know how to work as a team."
"I do," Adrian said, turning to Maki. "After you."
Maki nodded and led him inside, getting him a uniform and watching him cut a pair of oval-shaped holes in the back for his wings, then led him to an empty room. He walked into it and looked around, eyes sinking slightly.
"I'm sorry about your girlfriend," Maki said. "Whatever you do for a living, and whatever the lieutenant might think of you, you have my condolences."
"Thank you," Adrian said. "And I meant it when I said I'm here to help. I never went through the academy because I was denied entrance after an accident in my past, but I've always wanted to be a member of the Fire Force."
"What incident?" Maki asked.
Adrian remained silent for a moment before shaking his head. "Maybe another time. I'd...like to be alone for a bit."
Maki nodded. "Alright. Welcome to the Fire Force."
Adrian smiled and nodded, and Maki left, closing the door behind her. Adrian sat on his bed heavily and rested his face in his hands, tears finally beginning to fall.
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